REVIEWED BY:  LINDA LAW

Writing stories and novels is my personal passion; however, I also enjoy reading the stories of others, and when I find the story worthy of recommending to others, it's my joy to share.  

The Sandi Fatow Story is not about how well the story is told, nor the literary genius of condensing the story of a life within 192 pages.  The author however; did manage to tell Ms Fatow's astonishing journey in a way that holds the reader spellbound, wanting to know more!

I have had the privilege of speaking with Sandi Fatow on several occasions, however...have not had the honor of meeting her in person.  Reading this book was astonishing to me, as her life was definitely on a downward spiral, with little to no hope of turning it around.  Not only does this woman turn her life around from the abyss of sin and immorality....she now leads others to know the God that lifted her from that abyss.

Sandi was the epitome of many young, energetic, attractive women during the 1960's and 70's when free love and drugs were the social standard.  She danced her way through rebellion of all sorts during those racial, draft card burning, college rioting, American flag burnng days.  Those days when the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert, and later Martin Luther King, Jr., were the background of Rock and Roll music, and the birth of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin.

During this age of hippies, drugs and free love, Sandi had found a path of partying with Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison of The Doors, Tommy James and the Shondells, and many more.  Her days were filled with drugs and staying high, dancing and hopping from one party after another.   Soon, she got to know many in the Miami nightclub scene, usually....the flamboyant men of underground crime. 

Before long Sandi had boyfriends who became famous in their own rights; one who ended up being at the top of the F.B.I.'s "Ten Most Wanted".  He later died in the electric chair for killing two law enforcement officers, while another was sentenced to life, and a third to 45 years for  gangland killing and smuggling.  Her life was filled with plenty of dancing, drugs, and wild parties; however....she soon went through that spiral of always finding herself deep in the throes of the criminal element, in order to sustain her own drugs and way of life.

This book will take the reader through one journey after another; often leaving one to wonder how...or...IF....she would survive or would she die a pathetic used up junkie.  There is no way that I can describe all of the pathetic and demeaning ways this young woman managed to survive; however....there was a miracle waiting around the corner.   Many of us have miracles appear in our lives; however....we don't often regard them as such. 

The key to a miracle, in my opinion...is knowing when it has arrived, and when and if we are willing to accept the gift!  Sandi Fatow not only accepted the gift ... she grabbed it with the same gusto that she had grabbed her previous wayward life.  Not only did she have the offer of a new and beautiful rebirth of her life; she decided to accept it....Live it for God in abundance....and...share it with the world!

Sandi Fatow is the wife of Steve Fatow, Pastor of Trinity Chapel in Knoxville, Tennessee.  She has been free of drugs for thirty eight years!  They have a beautiful church, where Steve has been Pastor since 1984.  Trinity Chapel Church has a fine staff who cater to many different areas of life, in order to continue to bring an ever increasing growth to their congregation.  This couple is strong and steadfast in varying degrees;  working together for the world to know their Savior and Christ.  Although each has his/her own passion in how they spread the word, one is certain that they are an unbeatable Team for Christ!  Steve ministers all over the world, leading crusades and bringing the word of peace, love and salvation to those who may otherwise not know God.

On the otherhand, Sandi's passion is Prison Ministry.  She travels with The Bill Glass Champions For Life out of Dallas, Texas.  They go from prison to prison, throughout the United States, and often to other countries as well; ministering to those who can relate to Sandi's previous life on the wild side.  She has a down to earth manner in her way of reaching others. Her testimony and gift of sharing has touched the very depths of those lost souls. 

One must wonder.... Without Sandi Fatow's journey through a life of horrors; it's possible that she would never have found salvation for herself.  Perhaps she might never have been led to share the pain lodged within herself.... and I wonder how many others would  never have found the eventual joy of knowing Christ!  There is no doubt this woman of God has been given a gift, and she didn't choose to lock it up and hide it....instead... she's out there reaching and teaching, and saving souls! 

This book is filled with everything that readers seem to find interesting.  There is love, passion, sex, violence, travel, crime, sadness, darkness, pain, and ultimate joy.  It is an exciting adventure from beginning to end.   The irony to this however; is  while the end is the hook....The end to this book is truly THE BEGINNING!

Read this fascinating book and you will know that if this woman could and did find a better path to life; then anyone can do it!   She may have run with celebrities and people whose names appeared for all the world to see; but instead she chose to be the child of the KING; she is ROYALTY and does not need to be a follower; as she is indeed a leader among us.

Reviewed by:   Linda Law
Author of:  "Extraordinary Visits", Miracles through Divine Intervention; and "The Visitors", Angels In Our Midst.
www.authorsden.com/lindalaw; or lindalaw226.yahoo.com

**For information on Sandi Fatow, and how to obtain copies of THE SANDI FATOW STORY, Smokin' & Jokin'; please write me directly at lindalaw226.yahoo.com, or visit the Trinity Chapel, Knoxville, TN website.